Regardless of an early, light dinner, plenty of exercise on the dance floor, and only two cocktails (double each), the night proves to be restless. Thanks to the purple knitting project, the dormant arthritis in my neck and right shoulder is wide awake now! I take two extra-strength Advil and return to bed, only to find out that every time my burning skin brushes against the starched sheets, I cringe in pain. I think my suntan lotion is the kind that has reportedly set people on fire!
This morning, I'm in a rough physical shape! Let's just say the Imodium, extra-strength Advil and Benadryl Bug Bite weren't last-minute meaningless purchases!
I return to the beach, yet again with The Antidote. I'm still hoping to come across that one perfect statement that will set me free. Tucked away in the shade, I pick up where I have left off yesterday, before I had the tantalizing idea of joining the fishes.
At first, I find it hard to believe that Burkeman has written a self-help book about the futility of all self-help theories! But then, a bell or two go off. "... the person most likely to purchase any given self-help book is someone, who within the previous eighteen months, purchased a self-help book - one that evidently didn't solve all their problems."
One by one, the dusty books in my extensive library parade in front of my eyes. I smile in recognition of Burkeman's truth. But then, didn't I already know that?
I look around. The red flag flying high on the beach has kept the bathers away. I let my thoughts surf the restless, murky waves. I watch them chase each other to the shore, turning into white froth and then disappearing into nothingness. An inexplicable sense of calmness embraces me. I feel light, hollow - one with the universe. Regardless of my physical discomfort, I feel happy.
I replace Burkeman with Gladwell. The Outliers captivate my attention.
I know I'm trivializing, when I say that all I walked away with is the understanding that if I'm to attribute my successes to my upbringing, position and status, I surely can blame my failures on circumstance, lack of opportunity and cultural legacy.
Otherwise, I am intelligent, hard-working, and borrowing from Stuart Smalley (Saturday Night Live), "... doggone it, people like me!"
I have done my Hamburg! Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
However, thank goodness for physical discomfort! Nothing sheds a better light on one's perspective than pain. Accepted and filed!
This morning, I'm in a rough physical shape! Let's just say the Imodium, extra-strength Advil and Benadryl Bug Bite weren't last-minute meaningless purchases!
I return to the beach, yet again with The Antidote. I'm still hoping to come across that one perfect statement that will set me free. Tucked away in the shade, I pick up where I have left off yesterday, before I had the tantalizing idea of joining the fishes.
At first, I find it hard to believe that Burkeman has written a self-help book about the futility of all self-help theories! But then, a bell or two go off. "... the person most likely to purchase any given self-help book is someone, who within the previous eighteen months, purchased a self-help book - one that evidently didn't solve all their problems."
One by one, the dusty books in my extensive library parade in front of my eyes. I smile in recognition of Burkeman's truth. But then, didn't I already know that?
I look around. The red flag flying high on the beach has kept the bathers away. I let my thoughts surf the restless, murky waves. I watch them chase each other to the shore, turning into white froth and then disappearing into nothingness. An inexplicable sense of calmness embraces me. I feel light, hollow - one with the universe. Regardless of my physical discomfort, I feel happy.
I replace Burkeman with Gladwell. The Outliers captivate my attention.
I know I'm trivializing, when I say that all I walked away with is the understanding that if I'm to attribute my successes to my upbringing, position and status, I surely can blame my failures on circumstance, lack of opportunity and cultural legacy.
Otherwise, I am intelligent, hard-working, and borrowing from Stuart Smalley (Saturday Night Live), "... doggone it, people like me!"
I have done my Hamburg! Accepted and filed! What have you accepted and filed today?
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